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Coutinho hopes to live up to Barcelona’s expectations

By Laieke Abebe

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 08: New Barcelona signing Philippe Coutinho poses for a photograph with his new shirt as he is unveiled at Camp Nou on January 8, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. The Brazilian player signed from Liverpool, has agreed a deal with the Catalan club until 2023 season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 08: New Barcelona signing Philippe Coutinho poses for a photograph with his new shirt as he is unveiled at Camp Nou on January 8, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. The Brazilian player signed from Liverpool, has agreed a deal with the Catalan club until 2023 season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
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New Barcelona player Philippe Coutinho is living one of his biggest dreams as he was officially introduced as a member of the Blaugrana.

After a lot of speculation, the deal that was anticipated to take some time to finish is finally complete. Philippe Coutinho is a Barcelona player at last. The Brazilian forward/midfielder officially signed for what could be up to 160 million euros to move from Liverpool to the Blaugrana. It is yet another expensive deal as they’ve already paid Ousmane Dembele over 100 million euros. Despite the signing, Coutinho’s debut will have to wait.

After undergoing his medical, it was determined that Coutinho has a thigh problem that will hold him out for close to three weeks. However, the fans are happy that he’s finally going to join Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Dembele, and the rest of the Barca squad. Specifically, this will be a reunion for Suarez and Coutinho as they were once teammates at Liverpool before El Pistolero signed with Barca in 2014.

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It is unclear where Coutinho will be involved when he gets back from the injury. He can play in the midfield, but players like Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are stalwarts there. He’ll have to create chemistry with both to succeed and he’s capable of doing that. He can also play as a winger while Messi drops a bit deeper into the midfield to help create chances from there. Overall, the possibilities are endless for where Coutinho will play.

Coutinho got to Barcelona this weekend and was introduced at Camp Nou on Monday. Then, there was a press conference to officially introduce the Brazilian. All of the usual board members were there like Josep Maria Bartomeu and Jordi Mestre. The former Liverpool player expressed how much he has dreamed of being a Barca player. He talked about that and about trying to fulfill the expectations of being a Barca player.

"“I’m living a dream. Thanks to everyone for coming. It’s a dream for all the players who have been here and those who are here now. It’s hard to explain, but all my family are here to live this dream. I want to give thanks for my reception and I hope that soon I’ll be on the pitch to live up to the expectations.”Philippe Coutinho on signing for Barcelona"

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In the end, this decision from Coutinho seemed like a no-brainer. He hasn’t been playing much at Liverpool, but when he played, he always made a big difference. Now, he looks to create magic with Messi, Iniesta, Busquets, and the rest of the Barca roster. While fans will have to wait for his debut, the anticipation is exciting for the 25-year-old to help ignite Camp Nou.

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